The Rouleur Podcast

Ian Whittingham from Sigma Sport joins Ian Parkinson to discuss the latest trends in bikes and kit that you can expect to see at the upcoming Rouleur Classic.As the backer of a former British pro road team, Whittingham also explains the difficulties facing the domestic racing scene currently as teams fold during what seems a boom time for British cycling. Architect and designer Max Broby teamed up with collector and occasional Rouleur contributor Kadir Guirey to produce their Explorateur bikes - beautiful machines that will pack into a suitcase for those who travel the world and want to ride the world too. Plus Desire editor Stuart Clapp looks forward to the Rouleur Classic, and Top Bonk boss Kenny van Vlaminck has a solution to his team's long-running bicycle problems: folding is the way forward... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planning to watch the World Championships in Innsbruck? Of course you are, they're shaping up to be some of the most hard fought and unpredictable races in years. But don't watch until you've heard this special preview podcast from Rouleur's team on the spot - Executive Editor Ian Cleverly and Desire Editor Stuart Clapp are joined by Matt Stephens, fresh back from riding the challenging course. Where will the crucial moves be made, what are the winning tactics and who are the men and women who'll be standing on the Innsbruck podium? And there's a surprise visitor at the end, Belgian legend Kenny VanVlaminck puts us right on the proper nutritionals. Could marrowfat peas be the key to an Alaphilippe victory? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddy Merckx and Beryl Burton will be the first inductees to the Rouleur Hall of Fame at the Rouleur Classic in November. Authors William Fotheringham and Isabel Best join Ian Parkinson to discuss why these two greats are worthy recipients for the new award. Fotheringham, author of Half Man, Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx, tells us about the Cannibal and how he amassed hundreds of victories during an unparalleled career on the road. But would Coppi or Hinault be worthy of consideration? Isabel Best’s soon to be released book Queens of Pain, published by Rapha Editions, celebrates a century of women’s great achievements on bikes – none more so than Beryl Burton, possibly the greatest cyclist Britain has ever produced. She regales us with tales of Beryl’s remarkable achievements. Also, our Desire editor Stuart Clapp runs his discerning eye over the greatest jersey designs in history, and some modern instant classics. Hot or not? Stu knows… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Warbasse and Conor Dunne were all set to ride the 2018 Ovo Tour of Britain until their team, Aqua Blue Sport, folded around them. Undeterred, the pair have set off on their own NoGo Tour, a freewheeling bikepacking trip around the cols and climbs of France and Italy. Larry talks through the trip with presenter Ian Parkinson, and sheds light on the precarious career prospects of a pro cyclist. Mark McNally of Wanty- Groupe Gobert reflects on his ten Tours of Britain and Pippa York looks back nearly 30 years to her victory in the Kellogg's Tour. Flemish legend Kenny Van Vlaminck is back with new sponsors, new nutrition suggestions and a new line in poetry. If you're looking for more sensible thoughts on cycling diets, Brian Holm has them, and Stu Clapp talks cyclo-cross and the shortness of Assos shorts. If you're a fan of Kenny, and someone must be, make sure you stay listening right until the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ITV's "Voice of the Tour" Ned Boulting joins Ian Parkinson to reflect on events in July, and look forward to his one-man cycling stand-up show this Autumn. From Arbroath to Cleckheaton - although not, perhaps shortsightedly, anywhere in Wales - the "Tour De Ned" will include behind the scenes stories, stage insights and a musical finale. Also on this edition, Stuart Clapp tries to argue the benefits of wearing camouflage on the bike and Brian Holm looks back to the days when tattoos and coloured socks would have you thrown off a race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last time Welsh rock guitarist and cycling commentator Peredur Ap Gwynedd was on the Rouleur Podcast, he was enthusing about fellow countryman Geraint Thomas wearing yellow in the 2017 TdF. How excited is he now that Thomas has actually taken the Maillot Jaune all the way to Paris? Very, and he's got some thoughts on the race itself, the development of Welsh cycling and the Sky rider's future career. Rouleur's Ian Cleverly reports back from the Col De Portet stage and Stuart Clapp explains why he was wearing cycling kit in a bath in Norfolk. And Brian Holm's views on developing young riders are, as always, worth listening to. Presented by Ian Parkinson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Parkinson talks to the British author tasked with the challenge of being the voice of Peter Sagan, Hannah Troop reports from an overexcited Dutch Corner and they both quiz Molly Weaver on The Tour, La Course and why she's taking a break from pro cycling. Plus, Stuart Clapp is chasing Brilliant Unicorns in Vienna and Brian Holm tells us why he hates the heat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lotto Soudal's Adam Hansen will have a very different view of this year's Tour de France. After a record 20 consecutive Grand Tours, Adam has swapped his saddle for a commentator's chair and will be bringing his experience and expertise to the Eurosport coverage. He talks about the swap, and his tips for what to watch out for on this year's route. Connor Swift of Madison Genesis won the British road race title at the end of June, 28 years after his team manager Colin Sturgess took the national jersey on a windy, twisty course near Hull. Colin remembers that day and the state of UK racing, then and now. Rouleur Desire editor Stuart Clapp explains the thinking behind the magazine's daily Top Banana award, and welcomes our newest Rouleur Podcast contributor - Danish legend Brian Holm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Fournel is one of the most distinctive voices in cycling journalism, with an impressive palmares of unusual and thoughtful books, essays and articles. In his native France, Paul is well known as a poet, publisher and cultural icon, a member of the eccentrically avant-garde Oulipo group of writers. His books "Need for the Bike" and "Anquetil Alone" have been published in English and many of his essays have appeared in Rouleur magazine. On the latest Rouleur podcast, Paul shares his lifelong love of cycling and his passion for Jacques Anquetil. We also hear from Finlay Pretsell, whose film Time Trial finally makes it to UK cinemas this week. The film centres on David Millar's last season as a pro and his sometimes conflicted feelings about the end of his career.Rouleur's Desire Editor Stuart Clapp, repeats his view that he'd struggle to be friends with anyone who didn't like the ending of Time Trial, and remembers a drunken evening at the top of Alpe D'Huez with one of Lance Armstrong's domestiques. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Business as usual" is Alex Dowsett's verdict on this year's remarkable Giro D'Italia "People were like 'this is an epic Giro' and we're like is it? It's just hard". The Katusha Alpecin rider attracted an appreciative audience for his social media updates throughout the Italian race, and says he's going to carry on tweeting from inside the peloton. He also gives us his view on the controversial Stage 19. And staying with controversy, Rouleur's Stuart Clapp tries on Oakley's "upside-down" Flightjackets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Burt spent twelve years as head physio at British Cycling, and five with Team Sky. He tells presenter Ian Parkinson how he's now planning to use that knowledge to help the rest of us. We look at the state of steel framebuilding with Saffron Frameworks' Matthew Sowter, Caren Hartley of Hartley Cycles and Andrew Denham of the Bicycle Academy. And Rouleur's Stuart Clapp has an unfortunate story involving a sex toy and a saddle sore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three pro riders with very different experiences of head injury discuss the tricky subject of concussion in the peloton. Sports like NFL and Rugby have clear procedures for dealing with athlete head injuries, but Brent Bookwalter, Matt Brammeier and Tom Skujins think cycling could do better, and their colleagues in the peloton need to be more aware. Rouleur's Desire Editor Stuart Clapp talks up Gore's new Shakedry jacket, and David Millar's long awaited film. Presenter: Ian Parkinson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Sagan's brilliant victory in Paris Roubaix was overshadowed by the tragic death of Belgium's Michael Goolaerts. Ned Boulting joins presenter Ian Parkinson to discuss the race, the dangers of pro-cycling, the season so far and some of the challenges hanging over the Grand Tours: will the Giro really start in Israel, and if it does, will Chris Froome be riding? Three times Paris Roubaix winner Fabian Cancellara joins us from Utah with his thoughts on Sagan and Dillier's race to the velodrome and we grab a podium interview with Britain's junior Paris Roubaix star Lewis Askey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cobbles, dust, mud, history and blood. For many fans, Paris-Roubaix is the greatest of all the Classics - and for the latest Rouleur Podcast, we're all about the Hell of the North. Fabian Cancellara and Hennie Kuiper relive their victories while Magnus Backstedt and Roger Hammond relive their famous duel in the Roubaix Velodrome. Will Fotheringham discusses his new book, about one of the greatest cycling films ever - Jorgen Leth's celebration of the 1976 Roubaix, A Sunday in Hell. And Stuart Clapp remembers the time he saw Tom Boonen fit a whole energy bar into his mouth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk to Jacob Tipper and Ellie Green of Derby-based Team KGF, who've been taking on - and beating - some of the best track riders in the world. Presenters Ian Parkinson and Hannah Troop visit Derby velodrome to meet Cervelo-Bigla's Lotta Lepisto and Claire Rose, and hear why time-trial legend Matt Bottrill is making a racing comeback. Plus, Ian gets to try Endura's ultra-slippy new skinsuit on the boards, and Stuart Clapp is in Milton Keynes sniffing out gravel bikes and shiny shoes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.